Tag Archives: one stroke face painting

One of my greatest personal challenges is achieving a high standard of face painting whilst ‘on-the-job’, as it’s one thing being able to paint beautifully in the comfort of my own home at a speed I’m comfortable with, and another being able to paint quickly and impeccably whilst there’s a big queue of children hanging off your shoulder!

For me, like anything, it’s all about practise practise practise. I can only get better at speed face painting by doing speed face painting. I aim to complete a face in 3-5 minutes, however, it’s always lovely when there’s a not a huge queue and I can spend up to 10 minutes on a face. Most of these below were painted on-the-job in under 5 minutes.

On-the-job face painting butterfly using TAG unicorn

On-the job 2-3 min half butterfly

I love playing with this colour palette (TAG unicorn), and in addition to painting countless one stroke butterflies and rainbow butterflies with it, it can be used for so many different looks. Combine TAG unicorn one stroke with Lea Selley’s Graffiti eye stencils and you can make something super funky.

On-the-job Graffiti eye design

It’s always a pleasure when I have a few extra minutes on a job and can do a quick little cheek illustration. Whilst working at Treetop Adventure Golf this summer, toucan’s were frequently requested and I had lots of fun playing with this design!

On-the-job toucan cheek design with ‘one-stroke’ leaves

One stroke face painting, as you guys know, is my favourite type of on-the-job painting and the possibilities are just endless. Not only can you paint beautiful florals with one strokes, but they can be used for superheroes and villains too. Here’s a recent hulk face painting I did with a green one stroke palette.

Tigers are amongst my most requested face painting design. Mark Reid is the ultimate master of tigers and his work is always my go to for inspiration. Achieving the perfect tiger stripe is again all about practise and finding the perfect brush for you. My trusty Loew Cornell enables me to create tiger stripes like those below.

On-the-job tiger at a recent birthday party

On-the-job mummy and me tiger face paint

Sometimes the painting isn’t particularly spectacular but the kid is just so damn cute I can’t resist taking a photo. This little Mario was just so adorable and whilst not the best advert for my face painting skills, it shows the sheer joy of face painting so job done!

I was recently asked to teach a 1-2-1 face painting workshop focusing solely on one stroke painting (my favourite kind of face painting!). My client travelled up from London to spend the day with me in my studio and we spent 6 hours covering a multitude of one stroke designs, looking at colour combinations, technique and brush loading.

In preparation I wanted to update some of my skills and designs as I’m always looking to improve my own technique too. It’s too easy to become complacent!

Flower practise on my legs

Daisies on Daisy! Sally-Ann Lynch practise board

Floral face design

My intention in my workshops is to teach technique and composition, which allows clients to understand how designs are created and then gives them the space to go on and create their own!

Several years ago, in preparation for my one stroke face painting workshop in Northern Ireland, I created a one stroke butterfly on my leg which went a little bit ‘viral’ in the face painting world! For this particular workshop I was asked again to teach my one stroke butterfly, so I wanted to update it and make it fresher. Here’s my updated version on a FAB wipeable practise board, where I focused on overall shape of the butterfly, and a real ‘live’ version on my client’s arm.

Updated version of my ‘famous’ one stroke leg butterfly!

Mini version of my one stroke butterfly on my client’s arm

Other designs for my intensive one day face painting course included a rainbow butterfly, dolphin and the obligatory unicorn! Unicorns are definitely the new Elsa.

My one stroke dolphin design (made into a narwahl!) and my student’s version

My student photographing her work!

Super quick one stroke rainbow butterfly design

Obligatory pink unicorn!

I am currently being inundated with emails and enquiries for my workshops which is amazing and I am so excited! Teaching face painting is what I LOVE and I want to do more and more of it.

I am always available for 1-2-1 teaching and am happy to arrange small workshops as well.

My next workshops are:

Thursday 12th September – LEICESTER (in my home studio)

10am- midday. A 2 hr introduction to all things face painting! We will cover teardrops, swirls, dots, tiger stripes and double dipping. You will then contextualise your new skills in some popular face painting designs eg Spiderman, rainbow butterfly, tiger

For more info click here or email livilollipopfairy@gmail.com for more info

I have literally always struggled with my unicorns, the perfectionist in me never happy with their double chins and wonky eyes! Recently, however, with a little bit more practise and perseverance and using one stroke technique for the faces as well as the hair, I’ve painted a lot more that I’m actually happy with!

Here are two ecstatic little girls from a recent unicorn themed birthday party…

Last week on a very very wet day in Whetstone, Leicester I painted at a big bank holiday pub event, alongside magicians, animals, bouncy castles and live music! The relentless rain did not deter the crowds and I was non-stop for 5 hrs, one of the busiest face painting events I’ve ever done! I managed to take a couple of photographs before it got manic, and I was sent the photos of me painting and me with the little rainbow girl by her lovely mum!

Face painting in progress! After applying the rainbow base I work around the driest areas first with white tear drops, creating a butterfly shape.

Voila! The finished face and a happy customer 🙂

Below are 2 more little cuties – a butterfly using TAG unicorn colour combo, and an Elsa-inspired design – both using one stroke. I just love these colours and their smiles!

Every day for a month I planned to paint a new design using “one stroke” technique. One stroke involves the use of “stripey” paints (see some of the images below and previous post). With a 3/4″ flat brush it is possible to pick up multiple colours at once, and with one motion create an effortless blending effect. Here are days 7-12.

Hidden under the rainbow in a corner of Clarendon Park, reality melts into the multi-coloured, magical world of Livi Lollipop.
Livi Lollipop is the name of Leicester’s exclusive, enchanting Face Painting Fairy.
She bursts through a world of monochrome madness, spreading splendor and colour wherever she goes. With a few tickles of her paintbrush, children (and adults!) can fulfil fantasies, become butterflies, and morph into monsters!
With a wave of her wand she stirs up the sunshine. Scattering lollipops she blows you a kiss and whispers, Be who you want to be. Fly free.